Comment Re:it does not matter what they do (Score 2) 702
About $100 is the difference at the low end. But, there is little telling what it is on a $1000 PC.
What is important is for Hpaq, DELL, Gateway and IBM to correctly price their systems AND also provide them without any OS bundled in.
Until the consumer can see the difference in cost between a machine with and without the Microsoft brand, consumers will remain duped.
An OS may be necessary. But, an OS does not need to be purchased as the minimum deal as Microsoft has demanded.
Maybe when Wal-Mart sales take off for LIndows or bare systems, a few other OEMs will wise up. But, it is the major OEMs that need to correct their inappropriate behaviour (just because it pleases the idiots at Microsoft).
Even on a $1000 PC, $100 is significant. If not then all PCs would be loaded to the hilt because no single component matters much. But, of course, they are not. None are. Almost all models come with many choices on hardware. Different processors, different discs, different CDRom/DVD players. Different memory.
And, there is no reason why Hpaq does not offer just as many options on software.
Hpaq should show a $1000 PC costing about $100-150 less without the Microsoft crap. But, they do not. They will charge extra for XP Pro. But, are illegally restricted from charging less without XP at all. When that changes, the market will change. And, only then can other systems compete fairly with Microsoft.
Right now competition is precluded. And, OEMs are a major problem.
What is important is for Hpaq, DELL, Gateway and IBM to correctly price their systems AND also provide them without any OS bundled in.
Until the consumer can see the difference in cost between a machine with and without the Microsoft brand, consumers will remain duped.
An OS may be necessary. But, an OS does not need to be purchased as the minimum deal as Microsoft has demanded.
Maybe when Wal-Mart sales take off for LIndows or bare systems, a few other OEMs will wise up. But, it is the major OEMs that need to correct their inappropriate behaviour (just because it pleases the idiots at Microsoft).
Even on a $1000 PC, $100 is significant. If not then all PCs would be loaded to the hilt because no single component matters much. But, of course, they are not. None are. Almost all models come with many choices on hardware. Different processors, different discs, different CDRom/DVD players. Different memory.
And, there is no reason why Hpaq does not offer just as many options on software.
Hpaq should show a $1000 PC costing about $100-150 less without the Microsoft crap. But, they do not. They will charge extra for XP Pro. But, are illegally restricted from charging less without XP at all. When that changes, the market will change. And, only then can other systems compete fairly with Microsoft.
Right now competition is precluded. And, OEMs are a major problem.
